Overview & Reviews

Compact minivans have been popular for years in Europe and Japan, where families find them useful for dealing with narrow streets, limited parking and high fuel prices. Attempts by import-label automakers to bring these "super space wagons" to U.S. shores in the early 1990s were largely unsuccessful, however, because Americans were more interested in modern SUVs and large minivans. But once rising gas prices led some buyers to downsize from larger vehicles, Mazda decided that a truly "mini" minivan might again have a chance with U.S. consumers.

The result is the Mazda 5 compact minivan. Although it's significantly smaller than other minivans on the market, the Mazda 5 provides six-passenger capacity along with the distinctive look and sporty handling for which Mazda is known. For buyers who need affordable, relatively fuel-efficient family transportation that's particularly easy to maneuver in traffic and a snap to park, the Mazda 5 is a strong choice.

Current Mazda 5
There are three trim levels of this compact minivan: base Sport, midlevel Touring and high-line Grand Touring. The Sport includes automatic climate control with rear-seat controls, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo with a USB port. The Touring gets you foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer and Bluetooth phone/audio. The Grand Touring adds xenon headlights, automatic wipers, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof and satellite radio. Options include a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.

For power, the Mazda 5 comes with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Sport, while a five-speed automatic is optional on the Sport and standard on the other trims.

The 5's front seats are comfortable, though taller folks may wish for more rearward seat travel. The second-row captain's chairs slide and recline, and feature a pop-up center table and storage space that can be stowed away to allow a path to the third row. The smallish third row is best suited for kids but is easier to get into than most any larger crossover's last row. The van's sliding rear doors mean easy access, particularly in parking lots. Even with the second row in use and the third row folded down, there are still 44 cubic feet of cargo capacity available.

In Edmunds testing, we've found that the Mazda 5 can occasionally feel underpowered, such as when climbing steeper grades or while carrying a full load of passengers and cargo. It has the same refined engine we've praised in the past in the Mazda 3, but it's just not powerful enough to move a heavier van around at higher speeds with much authority. Its fuel economy is also unremarkable by four-cylinder standards, though it's still better than any minivan's V6 can manage.

On the bright side, these criticisms are pretty minor. In daily use, the 5 proves comfortable, easy to drive and both more agile and easier to park than a typical minivan, which is something to consider for those who don't really need all the space of a bigger van.

Used Mazda 5 Models
The second-generation Mazda 5 debuted for 2012. Compared to the earlier Mazda 5, it sports swoopier styling, more comfortable seating and a bit more power.

The first-generation Mazda 5 was introduced for the 2006 model year and ran until 2010. This compact minivan offered sliding side doors and seating for six within a relatively small footprint. Powered by a 2.3-liter inline-4 with 153 hp, most versions were fitted with a four- or five-speed automatic, although a five-speed manual was available on lower trims.

Initial trim levels consisted of base Sport and uplevel Touring, with perks of the latter including a sunroof, automatic climate control and an upgraded MP3-compatible stereo with an in-dash CD changer. A navigation system was optional for the Touring. The following year, the range-topping Grand Touring model debuted with its many luxury niceties.

For 2008, the Mazda 5 received revised front and rear styling and a new center control panel. Electroluminescent gauges were also added that year, along with rear seat air vents and controls, additional flip-down armrests and an auxiliary audio jack. Another thing to note is that Mazda 5 models prior to 2008 featured a four-speed automatic rather than the five-speed unit, resulting in lower fuel economy. Lastly, stability control wasn't available until 2010, when it came onboard as standard equipment.

User Reviews:

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  Up and coming GEM of a car! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Hector - May 4 - 9:36 pm

  This care meets my needs PERFECTLY! Married father with twin boys. Us four are perfectly comfortable in this mini-minivan. If 1 or 2 more board, all I gotta do is flip up the rear seats, strap the kids in & the 2 extra passengers ride like kings in the 2nd row. LOVE the underseat storage in the 2nd row! VERY comfortable car & LOVE the fabric, too. The styling is very Eurochic, sporty, modern & cool. LOVE the ride & handling - surprisingly smooth & responds INSTANTLY to your commands. Very responsive braking & LOVE the automanual tranny - smooth/responsive. The car can be a tad too slow for my taste, but its still responsive enough and very smooth for a 4 cylinder. Car feels much more expensive!

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  Love our new (used) Mazda 5! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By zandy - May 4 - 3:10 am

  We bought the 2006 Mazda 5 two months ago after looking at other wagons for a long time. We liked the fold down 2nd and 3rd row seats. It is very similar to a minivan with the 2nd row bucket seats, sliding doors, and slightly elevated drive; but I still call it a wagon because I DID NOT want a minivan. Others complained about the AC/heat, but I think its great - never turn AC above 2. The car drives great. Overall, Im not that impressed with the MPG - weve only filled up the car twice in the two months weve had it, but both times it averaged in the low 20s. FYI - were suburbanites in our 30s and only drive 50 mi/wk.

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  Great people mover - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Commuter - May 1 - 7:16 am

  My sport model has the automatic transmission and I love it. Shifts are smooth and quick and the performance is fine for me. Doesnt downshift on any of the hills on my commute which I cant say for some previous vehicles. First full tank of gas 26 plus mpg. Thats every bit as good as the EPA estimate, so I cant complain. Im having trouble finding a really comfortable adjustment for the drivers seat, but Im working on it. Great quality, lots of space, smooth quiet ride and willing engine. A lot of vehicle for the money. I love it.

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  Mazda continues to lead the pack - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By chicagoaverys - April 30 - 5:10 pm

  As someone who makes it his business to drive a lot of cars out there, I remain very impressed with Mazda. The Mazda5 is a lot of fun and a lot of functional. I cant wait to to get aftermarket toys. The car doesnt need it, but with Mazda always focusing on the individual, instead of bland mass appeal, like some other imports, it should be fun to tweak. My only problem was having trouble deciding between the Mazda3 five door and the "5". They both have a lot of positives. It is just nice to have a crossover vehicle for those of us who dont want to move into an SUV and arent willing to give up the fight and settle into a minivan. The "5" is perfect for my family of 4 and a 90 lbs dog.

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  Good, Not Amazing - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By miniMomma - April 28 - 1:00 pm

  I am really enjoying our new Mazda5, but I am not overly amazed. It is a very small mini van. Our small, umbrella stroller doesnt even fit! I know we will out grow this soon, but it is fun for now.

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  We Love this Car! - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By painter - April 26 - 11:26 am

  We went to our dealer unhappily thinking our lives required a minivan. My husband said MPV or nothing. Whats this one? Its such a wonderful compromise between the minivan and my now-too-small Protege. And the price is AMAZING. All the features my husband "had to have" on my car including the Pearl White color. Mazdas response to the public recall has been more than professional. We werent happy to part with our car, but we feel the company is committed to our safety and am pleased they provided a replacement car. The car is quite zippy and very easy to handle. We have yet to see another on the road although we heard that theyre selling fast.

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  All good except for interior noise - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Avinash B - April 19 - 7:40 pm

  So far 25K miles, going good. Pickup and handling is excellent, very easy and fun to drive. I do however get wind noise seeping through the door frame glass. Has been checked my Mazda several times, looks like a design flaw. Recently, started getting wobbling sound from rear, was told it is the tires getting old.

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  Sport-car like - - - minivan wagon? - 2006 Mazda Mazda5
  By Alex - April 12 - 10:40 pm

  Wow, what a car!!!!!!! Originally, looked around and found wagons with only 2 rows of seats. Looked at minivans, they are too big and hard to park on the street. Gee, saw an ad and went to the Mazda dealership. It looks very very sporty in person. A test-drive made me fall in love with the easy-to-use navigator, little body roll for its side around corners, good acceleration & I like the sport-shift feature of the AT. Man, enough room for really 6 adults & lots of storages & cup holders. Even got leather seat as an aftermarket add-on. Really nice. BTW, nice mpg for my first 2 tanks. Gee, cant wait to get some nice 18" wheelers and spoiler lip!!!!! Mazda rocks!!

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  Wagon? Van? Whatever! Its fun!! - 2008 Mazda Mazda5
  By ajl - April 10 - 5:40 pm

  After shopping every small SUV out there, and the only real competitor to the 5 when we bought it (the Kia Rondo), we bought our 08 Mazda 5 Grand Touring new in May of 09. After 6000 miles, its still fun to drive and the mileage keeps getting better as the motor breaks in.Its based on the Mazda 3, considered one of the best driving small cars out there, so it drives and handles like a taller version of that car. If you need a capable vehicle for a small family thats fun to drive, look no further! I cannot say enough about how great this vehicle is to drive. Averaging about 21 mpg in mostly hilly, stop and go driving.

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  Impressive!! - 2009 Mazda Mazda5
  By marla - April 4 - 2:56 am

  I am really enjoying driving this car. It is fun and gas saving!! I love how tight the steering is.